Arkansas had one of the highest rates of obesity among adults in 2020, according to new CDC data.

• 36.4% of Arkansas adults reported having obesity in 2020.
• That's down from 37.4% in 2019, but still up significantly from 30.9% 10 years ago.

Why it matters: Obesity is linked to a number of health complications. Those conditions can range from heart disease and cancer to an increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

• Many studies also found connections between obesity and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

Driving the news: The pandemic is at least partly to blame for overall obesity rates because gyms were closed, routines were disrupted and people were more likely to engage in stress eating.

• As a result, 42% of adults reported gaining more weight than they intended during the pandemic, according to the American Psychological Association.

Some communities saw higher rates of obesity than others.

• Black adults had a 45% rate of obesity, the highest in Arkansas.
• Hispanic adults had a 34% rate of obesity.

Context: Arkansas' obesity rate has been climbing for years, and the state is frequently ranked one of the worst in the U.S.

• 15 other states have obesity rates of 35% or higher.
• All states reported obesity rates of 20% or higher.

What they're saying: Joe Thompson, president and CEO of Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, told Axios he wouldn't read too much into the one percentage point drop from 2019 to 2020.

• If the number drops again this year, he says he'll be encouraged.

Of note: Last week, the National Institutes of Health awarded Arkansas Children's Research Institute (ACRI) and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences $11.5 million in renewed funding for the ACRI Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention.

We asked you last week to share your NWA fall favorites.

What they're saying: " Ivan's Old Time Meat Shop on 2nd street, has a pumpkin pie bratwurst that is amazing. I am not sure if they will have it all season or just make batches of them from time to time, but OMGOODNESS they are wonderful! I went back and bought more to put in the freezer," reader Katie told us.

🍺 Plus: We agree with reader Misty that we can't forget about Springdale-based Black Apple's pumpkin spice cider.

• Try all of Black Apple's seasonal ciders.

And reader Teresa says we should check out the 32nd annual Pea Ridge Mule Jump — a festival with a mule jump competition — set for Oct. 9.

What are we missing? Reply to this email, and tell us about all local seasonal menu items and events we should know.

Washington Regional Medical Center announced Monday it will expand onto 15 acres at Drake Farms near its existing hospital in Fayetteville.

Why it matters: The additional space will accommodate the expanded health care needs of the growing region.

• Plans for how the property will be used are not final but will likely include inpatient hospital services, outpatient surgical services, ambulatory care services, and a wellness center.

Context: It's no secret NWA is working to provide more health care services to keep residents from leaving the area to receive care — and to entice patients from elsewhere to seek care here.

• Washington Regional opened at its current site in 2002, and there's no more room to expand any further at its current location.

What's next: Washington Regional may purchase an additional 25 acres at the same site in the future.

A U of A physics professor is building and testing portable air filters that could remove infectious airborne particles. They would cost a fraction of the price of commercial-grade HEPA-based fan filters.

What's happening: Professor Hugh Churchill has been working with U of A Facilities Management and the Arkansas Research Alliance to build a prototype of a simple box-fan filter. Also, he's testing its performance at purifying air, according to a university news release.

• That includes removing the respiratory droplets that carry COVID-19 from indoor spaces.

Why it matters: Commercial HEPA-based fan filters can cost $250. The U of A filters would cost under $100, or you could even make one yourself with Churchill's DIY instructions.

What they're saying: "Improving filtration and ventilation in classrooms is a common recommendation to help fight the spread of COVID-19 and improve indoor air quality. There are commercial products that do this, but they can be cost-prohibitive," Churchill says.

Of note: Vaccines and masks are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the CDC also recommends improved ventilation systems to reduce exposure to the virus.

• Go deeper: Read more about the effectiveness of air filtration in schools.

Worth here. If you're even occasionally on the Razorback Greenway in Fayetteville, you're familiar with the Little Free Pantries that stock food for anyone who needs it.

• Most are reasonably well-kept and stocked with food.
• But this one just south of North Street is always a wreck.
• I've been watching it deteriorate for a few years.

Why it matters: Nearly half a million people in Arkansas — 150,000 of them children — are food insecure, according to Feeding America.

• The Little Free Pantries movement, which started with Fayetteville's Jessica McClard in 2016, has helped feed an untold number of people.

The bottom line: This pantry has good bones.

• If someone with the know-how and tools will fix the door, clean it up and get it ready for winter, I'll stock it with food.